Cleveland Clinic Finds Most Men Say Exercise Positively Impacts Their Mental Health, Confidence, and Sex Drive, but Nearly 1 in 3 Still Skip It

Most men recognize that staying active improves their energy, mood, and sex drive, but a new Cleveland Clinic survey showed that many still aren’t making exercise a regular habit.

The survey is part of Cleveland Clinic’s 10th annual MENtion It® campaign, which aims to encourage men to talk more openly about their health. This year’s focus was on the connection between exercise and overall well-being, including physical, mental, and sexual health.

“Men sometimes focus on their physical health, but mental and sexual health are just as important, and they’re all connected. When one area is off, it can affect the rest,” said Petar Bajic, M.D., director of the Men’s Health Section at Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological Institute.

“Health challenges rarely happen in isolation and understanding that connection is key,” said Dr. Bajic. “The more we break down the stigma around discussing issues like sexual performance or stress, the better equipped men are to take control of their health and get the support they need.”

The national survey of 1,000 U.S. men 18 years of age and older found that 30% do not engage in regular physical activity, although of men who exercise regularly, 81% report changes such as fatigue/lower energy (47%), more stress or irritability (33%), and decreased mental well-being (37%) when they don’t exercise.

The survey also examined the link between men’s physical activity and sexual health. Among American men, 61% said their physical fitness directly impacts their sex drive or sexual performance.

Despite this, nearly 1 in 5 men reported experiencing low sexual desire in the past year (18%), and 15% reported difficulty with erectile dysfunction. These issues are often misunderstood or brushed aside as part of normal aging, but they can be linked to underlying health conditions.

The majority of men surveyed were also unaware that sexual health complaints, like erectile dysfunction and low sex drive, can be early warning signs of a more serious, undiagnosed health problem.

• 72% were unaware they can be a sign of heart disease
• 74% were unaware they can be a result of uncontrolled diabetes
• 65% were unaware they can be a result of high blood pressure
• 59% were unaware they can be caused by mental health issues, such as depression

The survey also revealed most men experience regular stress and find their thoughts about self-image factoring into their overall well-being.

• 86% of men reported experiencing stress, anxiety, or mental exhaustion during a typical week.
• 52% said they’ve felt insecure about their appearance due to social media or public expectations
• Nearly half (47%) said they’ve compared themselves to others online

Given these pressures, roughly two-thirds (66%) of men said they have or would seek support from a mental health professional.

“When men are proactive about their health by exercising, getting regular screenings, exams, and prioritizing their mental health, it can help prevent many health problems and identify some when they are in early, curable stages,” said Dr. Bajic.

Methodology

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.Total sample size was 1140 men. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3rd - 5th June 2025.The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US men (aged 18+).